Legislative Initiatives and Review of Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Formulations

Opioid analgesics are the mainstay treatment of moderate-to-severe pain. However, opioids carry a risk of misuse, abuse, and death, and recently have become a public health challenge. In response to the steady increase in opioid abuse, pressure has been growing on pharmaceutical companies to develop prescription opioid formulations that help deter abuse while remaining readily accessible for pain management. This article discusses some of the novel abuse-deterrent formulation methods, including aversion, physical barrier, and agonist-antagonist. It also addresses some of the legislative initiatives and the role of pharmacists in providing education to health care professionals and patients as well as increasing their awareness of prescription opioid misuse and abuse.